North Korea Warns Of ‘Merciless’ Strikes As U.S. Conducts Drills In Region

WASHINGTON — North Korea’s government is warning of “merciless” attacks ahead of the American aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson participating in wargames with South Korean forces.

“If they infringe on the DPRK’s sovereignty and dignity even a bit, its army will launch merciless ultra-precision strikes from ground, air, sea and underwater,” a press release from the North Korea state news agency stated. DPRK (Democratic Republic of Korea) is the country’s official name.

The press release added: “On March 11 alone, many enemy carrier-based aircraft flew along a course near territorial air and waters of the DPRK to stage drills of dropping bombs and making surprise attacks on the ground targets of its army.”

The specific nature of the threatened attack is not clear, but North Korea possesses short-range and medium-range missiles, torpedoes and submarines that might be capable of sinking or damaging an aircraft carrier. Such an attack could provoke a devastating response from the U.S. and South Korea – and a war.

More than 300,000 South Korean soldiers and 17,000 U.S. military personnel participated in massive drills last year designed to repel a North Korean attack, and a similar number are expected this year, CNBC reported.

U.S. firepower deployed to Korea includes America’s newest attack drone, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. The Gray Eagle’s mission would be to knock out North Korea’s ballistic missiles, which might include rockets capable of hitting U.S. territory, The Drive reported. The Gray Eagle is capable of staying in the air for 24 hours.

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